Melon hybrid SV0331MV and parents thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of melon hybrid SV0331MV and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of melon hybrid SV0331MV and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a melon plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another melon plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, more specifically, to the development of melon hybrid SV0331MV and the inbred melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits in a single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any trait deemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield, resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, and nutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination. There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates if pollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollen comes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over many generations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce a uniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A cross between two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces a uniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many gene loci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number of loci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically and are not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performance unpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development of homozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection are examples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbred plants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine the genetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-based sources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derived therefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes. The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those have commercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a melon plant of the hybrid designated SV0331MV, the melon line WSH39-1095AN or melon line WSH39-1134. Also provided are melon plants having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant. Parts of these melon plants are also provided, for example, including pollen, an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 comprising an added heritable trait is provided. The heritable trait may comprise a genetic locus that is, for example, a dominant or recessive allele. In one embodiment of the invention, a plant of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 is defined as comprising a single locus conversion. In specific embodiments of the invention, an added genetic locus confers one or more traits such as, for example, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and modified carbohydrate metabolism. In further embodiments, the trait may be conferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome of a line by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgene introduced through genetic transformation techniques into the plant or a progenitor of any previous generation thereof. When introduced through transformation, a genetic locus may comprise one or more genes integrated at a single chromosomal location.

The invention also concerns the seed of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. The melon seed of the invention may be provided, in particular embodiments, as an essentially homogeneous population of melon seed of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed are generally free from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seed of hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 may be provided, in certain embodiments of the invention, as forming at least about 97% of the total seed, including at least about 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seed population may be separately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population of melon plants designated SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerable cells of a melon plant of hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 is provided. The tissue culture will preferably be capable of regenerating melon plants capable of expressing all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the starting plant, and of regenerating plants having substantially the same genotype as the starting plant. Examples of some of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 include those traits set forth in the tables herein. The regenerable cells in such tissue cultures may be derived, for example, from embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistils, flowers, seed and stalks. Still further, the present invention provides melon plants regenerated from a tissue culture of the invention, the plants having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided for producing melon seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generally comprise crossing a first parent melon plant with a second parent melon plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent melon plants is a plant of melon line WSH39-1095AN or melon line WSH39-1134. These processes may be further exemplified as processes for preparing hybrid melon seed or plants, wherein a first melon plant is crossed with a second melon plant of a different, distinct genotype to provide a hybrid that has, as one of its parents, a plant of melon line WSH39-1095AN or melon line WSH39-1134. In these processes, crossing will result in the production of seed. The seed production occurs regardless of whether the seed is collected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing” comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent melon plant, often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediated by insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually. Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without the need for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first and second parent melon plants into plants that bear flowers. A third step may comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as by emasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination between the first and second parent melon plants. Yet another step comprises harvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent melon plants. The harvested seed can be grown to produce a melon plant or hybrid melon plant.

The present invention also provides the melon seeds and plants produced by a process that comprises crossing a first parent melon plant with a second parent melon plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent melon plants is a plant of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. In one embodiment of the invention, melon seed and plants produced by the process are first generation (F₁) hybrid melon seed and plants produced by crossing a plant in accordance with the invention with another, distinct plant. The present invention further contemplates plant parts of such an F₁ hybrid melon plant, and methods of use thereof. Therefore, certain exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an F₁ hybrid melon plant and seed thereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of producing a plant derived from hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134, wherein said preparing comprises crossing a plant of the hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 with a second plant; and (b) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation. In further embodiments, the method may additionally comprise: (c) growing a progeny plant of a subsequent generation from said seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generation with itself or a second plant; and repeating the steps for an additional 3-10 generations to produce a plant derived from hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. The plant derived from hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 may be an inbred line, and the aforementioned repeated crossing steps may be defined as comprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line. In the method, it may be desirable to select particular plants resulting from step (c) for continued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). By selecting plants having one or more desirable traits, a plant derived from hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 is obtained which possesses some of the desirable traits of the line/hybrid as well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of producing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting at least one melon from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is used to refer to the aggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression of which sequences defines the phenotype of, in the present case, a melon plant, or a cell or tissue of that plant. A genetic complement thus represents the genetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and a hybrid genetic complement represents the genetic make up of a hybrid cell, tissue or plant. The invention thus provides melon plant cells that have a genetic complement in accordance with the melon plant cells disclosed herein, and seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles, and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic of the expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles. It is understood that hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 could be identified by any of the many well known techniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybrid genetic complements, as represented by melon plant cells, tissues, plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid genetic complement of a melon plant of the invention with a haploid genetic complement of a second melon plant, preferably, another, distinct melon plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a melon plant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid genetic complement of this invention.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of determining the genotype of a plant of melon hybrid SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 comprising detecting in the genome of the plant at least a first polymorphism. The method may, in certain embodiments, comprise detecting a plurality of polymorphisms in the genome of the plant. The method may further comprise storing the results of the step of detecting the plurality of polymorphisms on a computer readable medium. The invention further provides a computer readable medium produced by such a method.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of the invention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unless specifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standard deviation of the mean for the device or method being employed to determine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used to mean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunction with the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, the words “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically noted otherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-ended linking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, such as “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and “including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlisted steps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traits and covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and any specific examples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.

FIG. 1A: Physiological characteristics of hybrid PX 03980331 and Comparative varieties. The firmness measurement was measured in Pounds Force. Pounds force was measured with a Wagner brand hand held fruit pressure tester. Top panel is a graphical representation of Fruit Flesh Firmness measurement results. Bottom panel shows a table with fruit flesh firmness measurement results.

FIG. 1B: Physiological characteristics of hybrid PX 03980331 and Comparative varieties. The fruit size rating was done on an arbitrary 1 to 9 scale, the smaller the number the larger the fruit size. Top panel is a graphical representation of Fruit Size Rating measurement results. Bottom panel shows a table with fruit size rating measurement results.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants, seeds and derivatives of melon hybrid SV0331MV, melon line WSH39-1095AN and melon line WSH39-1134. The hybrid SV0331MV was produced by the cross of parent lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. The parent lines show uniformity and stability within the limits of environmental influence. By crossing the parent lines, uniform seed hybrid SV0331MV can be obtained.

Melon hybrid SV0331MV, also known as PX 03980331, or PX-03980331, has a typical Western Shipper fruit type, with typical western shipper shape, and flavor. SV0331MV fruit is similar to that of Olympic Gold and both are adapted to growing conditions in the western US. SV0331MV fruits are larger in size, and have firmer flesh than those of Olympic Gold.

A. Origin and Breeding History of Melon Hybrid SV0331MV

The hybrid SV0331MV was produced from a cross of the lines designated WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. The parent lines are uniform and stable, as is a hybrid therefrom. A small percentage of variants can occur within commercially acceptable limits for almost any characteristic during the course of repeated multiplication. However no variants are expected. The development of the parent lines of melon hybrid SV0331MV can be summarized as follows.

Melon line WSH39-1095AN, also known as WSH 39-1095 MS, was derived from a cross of inbred line WSH39-1066AN with ME1888, which was received from INRA. Two backcrosses were made to the WSH39-1066AN parent, followed by three generations of self pollination and selection for fruit size, flesh firmness, and net density.

Melon line WSH39-1134 is also known as WSH39-1134AN. Line WSH39-1134AN was derived by single seed decent from a cross of inbreds WSH39-1079AN & WSH39-1077AN. After the initial cross, six generations of self pollination and selection for fruit size, flesh firmness, and net density, resulted in the inbred WSH39-1134AN.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Melon Hybrid SV0331MV, Melon Line WSH39-1095AN and Melon Line WSH39-1134

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plant having the physiological and morphological characteristics of melon hybrid SV0331MV and the parent lines thereof. A description of the physiological and morphological characteristics of such plants is presented in Tables 1-3.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Hybrid SV0331MV Comparison Variety- CHARACTERISTIC SV0331MV Oro Rico  1. Type cantaloupe cantaloupe  2. Area of best adaptation in the U.S.A. most areas most areas  3. Seedling length of hypocotyl (just before medium medium development of the first true leaf) (Doral, Futuro) size of cotyledon medium medium (Futuro, Sancho) intensity of green color of medium medium cotyledon (Candy, Piel de Sapo)  4. Leaf (mature blade of third leaf) shape reniform reniform lobes shallowly lobed not lobed color dark green dark green (Rio Gold) RHS Color Chart value 147A 147A length 105.26 mm 84.7 mm width 147.53 mm 122.36 mm surface pubescent pubescent  5. Leaf Blade (fully developed but not old leaves, preferably between the 5^(th) and 8^(th) node when the plant has at least 11 nodes) size medium medium (Candy, Total) intensity of green color medium medium (Doral, Galia) development of lobes weak (Boule d’ or) weak length of terminal lobe short (Perlita) short dentation of margin weak weak (Clipper, Védrantais) blistering medium (Costa) weak  6. Petiole attitude semi-erect (Peko) erect length medium medium (Arava, Sancho) time of male flowering early (Clipper, Vital) medium time of female flowering early (Clipper) medium  7. Plant fertility - sex expression (at full andro-monoecious andro-monecious flowering) (Piel de Saoi) habit vine vine  8. Young fruit (green, unripe fruit before color change) hue of green color of skin green (Lucas) green intensity of green color of skin dark (Galia) dark density of dots dense (Arava) dense size of dots small (Lucas) small contrast of dot color/ground color strong (Total) strong conspicuousness of groove coloring absent or very weak medium (Solarking) length of peduncle long (Corin) short thickness of peduncle 1 cm from medium medium fruit (Geaprince, Védrantais) extension of darker area around small (Doule d’ or) small peduncle  9. Fruit change of skin color from young early in fruit very late in fruit fruit to maturity development (Alpha, development or no Charantais, Clipper) change length medium medium (Marina, Spanglia) length (at edible maturity) 15.86 cm 13.8 cm diameter narrow medium (Alpha, Maestro) diameter (at edible maturity) 14.02 cm 12.75 cm ratio length/diameter small (Buster, very small to small Supermarket) weight (at edible maturity) 1620.26 gm 1218.1 gm position of maximum diameter at middle (Piel de at middle Sapo, Védrantais) shape in longitudinal section broad elliptic circular/round (Corin, Sardo) surface (at edible maturity) netted netted blossom scar (at edible maturity) obscure obscure rib presence (at edible maturity) absent absent shipping quality (at edible maturity) excellent (Long excellent Distance Shipping) abscission (at edible maturity) when overripe when ripe maturity (number of days from 132 121 seeding to harvest) ground color of skin yellow (Amarillo- yellow Canario, Edén, Galia, Passport, Solarking) intensity of ground color of skin medium medium hue of ground color of skin yellowish greenish (Geaprince, Supporter) density of dots very dense (Albino) absent or very sparse size of dots large (Futuro) color of dots yellow (Piel de Sapo) intensity of color of dots light (Kinka, Mesol) density of patches absent or very sparse absent or very sparse (Rochet) warts absent (Piel de Sapo) absent strength of attachment of peduncle weak very weak at maturity (Arava, Maestro) shape of base rounded (Arava) rounded shape of apex rounded rounded (Alpha, Honey Dew) size of pistil scar large medium (Drake, Supermarket) grooves absent or very weakly absent or very weakly expressed expressed (Piel de Sapo, Arava) creasing of surface absent or very weak absent or very weak (Védrantais) cork formation absent (Alpha) present rate of change of skin color from fast slow maturity to over maturity (Corin, Marina, Nembo) width of flesh in longitudinal medium (Toledo) medium section (at position of maximum fruit diameter) main color of flesh orange (Védrantais) orange intensity of orange color of flesh medium (Lunasol) medium firmness of flesh firm (Braco, Geamar) firm at over maturity: hue of color of yellow orangish yellow skin (Futuro, Marina) intensity of yellow color of skin medium (Futuro) medium time of ripening medium (Védrantais) medium shelf life of fruit medium (Clipper) short 10. Flesh color near cavity (at edible orange orange maturity) RHS Color Chart value 26B 25B color in center (at edible maturity) orange orange RHS Color Chart value 26A 25B color near rind (at edible maturity) orange green RHS Color Chart value 24C 138B refractometer % soluable solids 47.61% 45% (center of flesh) aroma (at edible maturity) strong faint flavor (at edible maturity) very spicy somewhat spicy 11. Seed Cavity length 100.94 mm 85 mm width 55.99 mm 56.3 mm shape in cross section triangular triangular 12. Seed (fully developed and dry seeds, after washing and drying in the shade) length long medium (Amarillo Oro, Toldeo) width medium broad (Avara, Sancho) shape not pine-nut shape not pine-nut shaped (Toledo) color cream yellow cream yellow (Galia, Piel de Sapo) intensity of color medium (Galia) light number of seeds per fruit 566 387 grams per 1,000 seeds 29.1 gm 27.7 gm 13. Rind net: presence abundant abundant net: distribution covers entire fruit covers entire fruit net: coarseness medium coarse medium coarse net: interlacing complete complete net: interstices deep shallow texture: soft, firm or hard hard firm thickness at medial 7.51 mm 4.13 mm RHS color chart value 137A 161B RHS color chart value 157D net color (at edible maturity) yellow-white yellow RHS color chart value 158A 160D primary color (at full maturity) yellow yellow RHS color chart value 11A 161D mottling color (at full maturity) yellow white RHS color chart value 11C 155D net color (at full maturity) yellow-white buff RHS color chart value 158A 162C *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line WSH39-1134 Comparison Variety- CHARACTERISTIC WSH39-1134 Oro Rico  1. Type cantaloupe cantaloupe  2. Area of best adaptation in the U.S.A. most areas most areas  3. Seedling length of hypocotyl (just before medium medium development of the first true leaf) (Doral, Futuro) size of cotyledon medium medium (Futuro, Sancho) intensity of green color of medium medium cotyledon (Candy, Piel de Sapo)  4. Leaf (mature blade of third leaf) shape ovate reniform lobes shallowly lobed not lobed color medium green dark green RHS Color Chart value 137B 147A length 116.33 mm 84.7 mm width 161.33 mm 122.36 mm surface pubescent pubescent  5. Leaf Blade (fully developed but not old leaves, preferably between the 5^(th) and 8^(th) node when the plant has at least 11 nodes) size medium medium (Candy, Total) intensity of green color medium medium (Doral, Galia) development of lobes weak (Boule d’ or) weak length of terminal lobe short (Perlita) short dentation of margin weak weak (Clipper, Védrantais) blistering weak (Galia) weak  6. Petiole attitude semi-erect (Peko) erect length long (Goldgen) medium time of male flowering early (Clipper, Vital) medium time of female flowering early (Clipper) medium  7. Plant fertility - sex expression (at full andro-monoecious andro-monecious flowering) (Piel de Saoi) habit vine vine  8. Young fruit (green, unripe fruit before color change) hue of green color of skin green (Lucas) green intensity of green color of skin dark (Galia) dark density of dots very dense (Edén) dense size of dots large (Spanglia) small contrast of dot color/ground color medium (Arava) strong conspicuousness of groove coloring absent or very weak medium (Solarking) length of peduncle medium short (Arava, Romeo) thickness of peduncle 1 cm from medium (Geaprince, medium fruit Védrantais) extension of darker area around absent or very small small peduncle (Doral)  9. Fruit change of skin color from young late in fruit very late in fruit fruit to maturity development development or no (Amarillo Oro, Galia) change length short (Topper, medium (Védrantais) length (at edible maturity) 15.7 cm 13.8 cm diameter medium medium (Catagoria, Galia) diameter (at edible maturity) 13.6 cm 12.75 cm ratio length/diameter medium (Doral, very small to small Tendral Negro) weight (at edible maturity) 1565 gm 1218.1 gm position of maximum diameter at middle (Piel de at middle Sapo, Védrantais) shape in longitudinal section ovate/oval circular/round (De Cavaillon, Polin) surface (at edible maturity) netted netted blossom scar (at edible maturity) obscure obscure rib presence (at edible maturity) absent absent shipping quality (at edible maturity) excellent (Long excellent Distance Shipping) abscission (at edible maturity) when ripe when ripe maturity (number of days from 139 121 seeding to harvest) ground color of skin yellow (Amarillo- yellow Canario, Edén, Galia, Passport, Solarking) intensity of ground color of skin medium medium hue of ground color of skin yellowish greenish (Geaprince, Supporter) density of dots medium absent or very sparse (Petit Gris de Rennes) size of dots medium (Toledo) color of dots white (Edén) intensity of color of dots medium (Sapiel, Toledo) density of patches absent or very sparse absent or very sparse (Rochet) warts absent (Piel de Sapo) absent strength of attachment of peduncle weak very weak at maturity (Arava, Maestro) shape of base rounded (Arava) rounded shape of apex rounded rounded (Alpha, Honey Dew) size of pistil scar medium (Chartenais, medium Eros, Verdol) grooves absent or very weakly absent or very weakly expressed (Piel de expressed Sapo, Arava) creasing of surface absent or very weak absent or very weak (Védrantais) cork formation absent (Alpha) present rate of change of skin color from slow (Goloso) slow maturity to over maturity width of flesh in longitudinal medium (Toledo) medium section (at position of maximum fruit diameter) main color of flesh orange (Védrantais) orange intensity of orange color of flesh dark (Geamar) medium firmness of flesh firm (Braco, Geamar) firm at over maturity: hue of color of orangish yellow orangish yellow skin (Drake, Gama) intensity of yellow color of skin medium (Futuro) medium time of ripening medium (Védrantais) medium shelf life of fruit long (Piel de Sapo) short 10. Flesh color near cavity (at edible orange orange maturity) RHS Color Chart value 24D 25B color in center (at edible maturity) orange orange RHS Color Chart value 24A 25B color near rind (at edible maturity) orange green RHS Color Chart value 24B 138B refractometer % soluable solids 49.60% 45% (center of flesh) aroma (at edible maturity) faint faint flavor (at edible maturity) very spicy somewhat spicy 11. Seed Cavity length 96.9 mm 85 mm width 52 mm 56.3 mm shape in cross section triangular triangular 12. Seed (fully developed and dry seeds, after washing and drying in the shade) length medium medium (Avara, Sancho) width broad (Amarillo Oro) broad shape not pine-nut shape not pine-nut shaped (Toledo) color cream yellow cream yellow (Galia, Piel de Sapo) intensity of color medium (Galia) light number of seeds per fruit 468 387 grams per 1,000 seeds 22.9 gm 27.7 gm 13. Rind net: presence abundant abundant net: distribution covers entire fruit covers entire fruit net: coarseness medium coarse medium coarse net: interlacing complete complete net: interstices medium deep shallow texture: soft, firm or hard hard firm thickness at medial 7.7 mm 4.13 mm RHS color chart value 147D 161B RHS color chart value 157D RHS color chart value 156C 160D primary color (at full maturity) yellow-orange yellow RHS color chart value 20B 161D mottling color (at full maturity) yellow-white white RHS color chart value 158B 155D net color (at full maturity) gray-yellow buff RHS color chart value 161D 162C *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line WSH39-1095AN Comparison Line Variety- CHARACTERISTIC WSH39-1095AN Olympic Gold  1. Type cantaloupe cantaloupe  2. Area of best adaptation in the U.S.A. most areas most areas  3. Seedling length of hypocotyl (just before medium long development of the first true leaf) (Doral, Futuro) size of cotyledon medium very large (Futuro, Sancho) intensity of green color of medium (Candy, medium cotyledon Piel de Sapo)  4. Leaf (mature blade of third leaf) shape reniform reniform lobes not lobed not lobed color dark green dark green (Rio Gold) RHS Color Chart value 147A 147A length 102 mm 78 mm width 129 mm 114 mm surface pubescent pubescent  5. Leaf Blade (fully developed but not old leaves, preferably between the 5^(th) and 8^(th) node when the plant has at least 11 nodes) size medium medium (Candy, Total) intensity of green color dark (Gama, Gustal) dark development of lobes medium weak (Piel de Sapol) length of terminal lobe medium short (Clipper, Gama) dentation of margin weak (Clipper, weak Védrantais) blistering weak (Galia) weak  6. Petiole attitude semi-erect (Peko) semi-erect length long (Goldgen) medium time of male flowering medium (Catagoria) medium time of female flowering medium (Braco, medium Catagoria, Vital)  7. Plant fertility - sex expression (at full andro-monoecious andro-monecious flowering) (Piel de Saoi) habit vine vine  8. Young fruit (green, unripe fruit before color change) hue of green color of skin green (Lucas) green intensity of green color of skin dark (Galia) medium density of dots dense (Arava) dense size of dots small (Lucas) small contrast of dot color/ground color medium (Arava) strong conspicuousness of groove coloring weak medium (Geaprince, Total) intensity of groove coloring light medium length of peduncle long (Corin) short thickness of peduncle 1 cm from medium (Geaprince, medium fruit Védrantais) extension of darker area around absent or very small small peduncle (Doral)  9. Fruit change of skin color from young very late in fruit late in fruit fruit to maturity development or no development change (Futuro, Piel de Sapo) length medium medium (Marina, Spanglia) length (at edible maturity) 13 cm 12 cm diameter broad narrow (Albino, Kinka) diameter (at edible maturity) 14 cm 13 cm ratio length/diameter medium (Doral, medium Tendral Negro) weight (at edible maturity) 1124 gm 1146 gm position of maximum diameter at middle (Piel de at middle Sapo, Védrantais) shape in longitudinal section circular/round broad elliptic (Alpha, Galia) surface (at edible maturity) netted netted blossom scar (at edible maturity) conspicuous conspicuous rib presence (at edible maturity) absent absent shipping quality (at edible maturity) excellent (Long excellent Distance Shipping) abscission (at edible maturity) when ripe do not abscise maturity (number of days from 113 111 seeding to harvest) ground color of skin yellow (Amarillo- green Canario, Edén, Galia, Passport, Solarking) intensity of ground color of skin light dark hue of ground color of skin yellowish absent or very weak (Geaprince, Supporter) density of dots very dense (Albino) absent or very sparse size of dots small (Doral) color of dots white (Edén) intensity of color of dots light (Kinka, Mesol) density of patches absent or very sparse absent or very sparse (Rochet) warts absent (Piel de Sapo) absent strength of attachment of peduncle medium (Doral, strong at maturity Védrantais) shape of base rounded (Arava) rounded shape of apex rounded (Alpha, rounded Honey Dew) size of pistil scar medium (Chartenais, medium Eros, Verdol) grooves absent or very weakly absent or very weakly expressed (Piel de expressed Sapo, Arava) creasing of surface absent or very weak absent or very weak (Védrantais) cork formation present (Dalton) present thickness of cork layer medium (Marina) medium pattern of cork formation netted only netted only (Galia, Perlita) density of pattern of cork formation medium medium (Regal, Vital) rate of change of skin color from medium (Futuro, absent or very slow maturity to over maturity Vendôme, Dulcinea) width of flesh in longitudinal medium (Toledo) medium section (at position of maximum fruit diameter) main color of flesh orange (Védrantais) orange intensity of orange color of flesh dark (Geamar) medium firmness of flesh medium (Sancho, firm Supporter) at over maturity: hue of color of orangish yellow skin (Drake, Gama) intensity of yellow color of skin medium (Futuro) time of ripening medium (Védrantais) early shelf life of fruit medium (Clipper) short 10. Flesh color near cavity (at edible orange orange maturity) RHS Color Chart value 25B 26B color in center (at edible maturity) orange orange RHS Color Chart value 24B 29A color near rind (at edible maturity) green green RHS Color Chart value 143C 138A refractometer % soluable solids 47% 46% (center of flesh) aroma (at edible maturity) faint strong flavor (at edible maturity) somewhat spicy somewhat spicy 11. Seed Cavity length 71 mm 85 mm width 60 mm 63 mm shape in cross section triangular triangular 12. Seed (fully developed and dry seeds, after washing and drying in the shade) length medium short (Avara, Sancho) width narrow (Aurabel) medium shape pine-nut shape pine-nut shape (Piel de Sapo) color cream yellow cream yellow (Galia, Piel de Sapo) intensity of color medium (Galia) dark number of seeds per fruit 289 411 grams per 1,000 seeds 31 gm 32 gm 13. Rind net: presence abundant abundant net: distribution covers entire fruit covers entire fruit net: coarseness very coarse medium coarse net: interlacing complete complete net: interstices deep medium deep texture: soft, firm or hard hard hard thickness at medial 6 mm 2 mm primary color (at edible maturity) yellow green RHS color chart value 11B 139A mottling color (at edible maturity) white white RHS color chart value 155B 155A net color (at edible maturity) white white RHS color chart value N155D 155C primary color (at full maturity) yellow yellow-white RHS color chart value 3C 158A net color (at full maturity) buff orange-white RHS color chart value 162C 159C *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

C. Breeding Melon Plants

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seed of melon hybrid SV0331MV involving crossing melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention, hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN, or line WSH39-1134 may be crossed with itself or with any second plant. Such methods can be used for propagation of hybrid SV0331MV and/or the melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134, or can be used to produce plants that are derived from hybrid SV0331MV and/or the melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134. Plants derived from hybrid SV0331MV and/or the melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 may be used, in certain embodiments, for the development of new melon varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties is well known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varieties may be created by crossing hybrid SV0331MV followed by multiple generations of breeding according to such well known methods. New varieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selecting such a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines, it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initial crosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to produce new varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or more generations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way of double-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breeding lines without the need for multiple generations of selfing and selection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in as little as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced from microspores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploid embryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments (e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be grown into haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In either case, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with the invention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plant of the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossing transfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbred source to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, for example, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to a donor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locus or loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are then mated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection in the resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from the non-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations with selection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristic being transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almost all other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plants of the present invention are particularly well suited for the development of new lines based on the elite nature of the genetic background of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross with SV0331MV and/or melon lines WSH39-1095AN and WSH39-1134 for the purpose of developing novel melon lines, it will typically be preferred to choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirable traits may include, in specific embodiments, high seed yield, high seed germination, seedling vigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance or resistance, and adaptability for soil and climate conditions. Consumer-driven traits, such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and taste are other examples of traits that may be incorporated into new lines of melon plants developed by this invention.

D. Performance Characteristics

As described above, hybrid SV0331MV exhibits desirable agronomic traits. The performance characteristics of hybrid SV0331MV were the subject of an objective analysis of the performance traits relative to other varieties. The results of the analysis are presented in FIG. 1.

E. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein are provided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait. Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant via the backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant as used herein refers to those melon plants which are developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety are recovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristics of a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in the same environment, other than an occasional variant trait that might arise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improve or introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parental melon plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur. The parental melon plant to which the locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in the backcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest (recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent) that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. The resulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to the recurrent parent and the process is repeated until a melon plant is obtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the converted plant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrent parent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for a successful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol is to alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the original variety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety is modified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrent parent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desired genetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphological constitution of the original variety. The choice of the particular nonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one of the major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to the plant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristic or trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrent and nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplified when the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, a recessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive and dominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessary to introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desired characteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny melon plants of a backcross in which a plant described herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired trait from the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of melon the recurrent parent as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. The technique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrent parents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used to replace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain more desirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtain different desirable characteristics from each.

With the development of molecular markers associated with particular traits, it is possible to add additional traits into an established germ line, such as represented here, with the end result being substantially the same base germplasm with the addition of a new trait or traits. Molecular breeding, as described in Moose and Mumm, 2008 (Plant Physiology, 147: 969-977), for example, and elsewhere, provides a mechanism for integrating single or multiple traits or QTL into an elite line. This molecular breeding-facilitated movement of a trait or traits into an elite line may encompass incorporation of a particular genomic fragment associated with a particular trait of interest into the elite line by the mechanism of identification of the integrated genomic fragment with the use of flanking or associated marker assays. In the embodiment represented here, one, two, three or four genomic loci, for example, may be integrated into an elite line via this methodology. When this elite line containing the additional loci is further crossed with another parental elite line to produce hybrid offspring, it is possible to then incorporate at least eight separate additional loci into the hybrid. These additional loci may confer, for example, such traits as a disease resistance or a fruit quality trait. In one embodiment, each locus may confer a separate trait. In another embodiment, loci may need to be homozygous and exist in each parent line to confer a trait in the hybrid. In yet another embodiment, multiple loci may be combined to confer a single robust phenotype of a desired trait.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularly selected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improved by backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not be transgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to, herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease, insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, and altered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inherited through the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as a dominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initial cross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of the corresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates any plants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and only those plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross. This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of melon plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent on the phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on genetic investigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic marker which is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of these markers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait in the offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection of progeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred to as marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or other assay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of a trait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes. Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Such methods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traits and variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be more expensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of genetic markers which could be used in accordance with the invention include, but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998).

F. Plants Derived by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well as directly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetic transformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be used to insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may, alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can be introduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plants that are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to many crop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation, microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and direct DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ either friable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogenic callus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or other organized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partially degrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them to pectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues in a controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plant cells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles are coated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propelling force. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten, platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspension are concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively, immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culture medium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriate distance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plant cells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, which can be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through a screen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surface covered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so that they are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates. Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may be used to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system for introducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique is that DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassing the need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. Modern Agrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E. coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations (Klee et al., Bio-Technology, 3(7):637-642, 1985). Moreover, recent technological advances in vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangement of genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate the construction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide coding genes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regions flanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expression of inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally, Agrobacterium containing both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used for transformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is efficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and defined nature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediated plant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is well known in the art (Fraley et al., Bio/Technology, 3:629-635, 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methods based on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment, electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g., Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:183-188, 1985; Omirulleh et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 21(3):415-428, 1993; Fromm et al., Nature, 312:791-793, 1986; Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 204:204, 1986; Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, 1988). Transformation of plants and expression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al. (Plant Cell Rep., 13: 344-348, 1994), and Ellul et al. (Theor. Appl. Genet., 107:462-469, 2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for any gene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers, scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance, nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest. Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expression include, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression in most plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., Nature, 313:810, 1985), including in monocots (see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., Plant Cell, 2:591, 1990; Terada and Shimamoto, Mol. Gen. Genet., 220:389, 1990); a tandemly duplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35S promoter (P-e35S); 1 the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., Plant Physiol., 88:547, 1988); the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., Plant Cell, 1:977, 1989); and the figwort mosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter (P-eFMV) where the promoter sequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem; the cauliflower mosaic virus 19S promoter; a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter; a commelina yellow mottle virus promoter; and other plant DNA virus promoters known to express in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response to environmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can also be used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells, including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., Plant Physiol., 88:965, 1988), (2) light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter, Kuhlemeier et al., Plant Cell, 1:471, 1989; maize rbcS promoter, Schaffner and Sheen, Plant Cell, 3:997, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-binding protein promoter, Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985), (3) hormones, such as abscisic acid (Marcotte et al., Plant Cell, 1:969, 1989), (4) wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al., Plant Cell, 1:961, 1989); or (5) chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, or Safener. It may also be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters (e.g., Roshal et al., EMBO J., 6:1155, 1987; Schernthaner et al., EMBO J., 7:1249, 1988; Bustos et al., Plant Cell, 1:839, 1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of this invention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from another species, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are present in the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells by genetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction or breeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended to refer to genes that are not normally present in the cell being transformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc., as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which are normally present and that one desires to express in a manner that differs from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express. Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any gene or DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless of whether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The type of DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is already present in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a different organism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequence containing an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding a synthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and could potentially be introduced into a melon plant according to the invention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and corresponding phenotypes one may choose to introduce into a melon plant include one or more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control, herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, and genes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements, environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plant physiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). For example, structural genes would include any gene that confers insect tolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control protein gene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. In another embodiment, the structural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate as conferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strain CP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, or glyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes by encoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targeted inhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example via antisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Bird et al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991). The RNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., a ribozyme) engineered to cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (see for example, Gibson and Shillito, Mol. Biotech., 7:125, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces a protein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change of interest is useful for the practice of the present invention.

G. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all of which alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cell or organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybrid progeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of the parents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce one or more single locus conversions from one genetic background into another.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes from different plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation of the organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemical agent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenic plants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets of chromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend to segregate together more often than expected by chance if their transmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited in codominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygote are readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e., heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, which characteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer to genetic loci that control to some degree numerically representable traits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” are used interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to a specified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmental condition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing some symptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with an acceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant or tolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop, even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed by a plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of a melon variety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the single locus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/or by genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does not show a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from the mean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or a different type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of a plant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has been introduced into the genome of a melon plant by transformation.

H. Deposit Information

A deposit of melon hybrid SV0331MV and inbred parent lines WSH39-1134 and WSH39-1095AN, disclosed above and recited in the claims, has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of the deposit was Feb. 14, 2013. The accession numbers for those deposited seeds of melon hybrid SV0331MV and inbred parent line WSH39-1134, and WSH39-1095AN are ATCC Accession Number PTA-13535, ATCC Accession Number PTA-13536, ATCC Accession Number PTA-13537, respectively. Upon issuance of a patent, all restrictions upon the deposits will be removed, and the deposits are intended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. The deposits will be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if necessary during that period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A melon plant comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of melon line WSH39-1095AN or melon line WSH39-1134, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13537 and ATCC Accession Number PTA-13536, respectively.
 2. A seed comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of melon line WSH39-1095AN or melon line WSH39-1134, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13537 and ATCC Accession Number PTA-13536, respectively.
 3. The plant of claim 1, which is inbred.
 4. The plant of claim 1, which is hybrid.
 5. The seed of claim 2, which is inbred.
 6. The seed of claim 2, which is hybrid.
 7. The plant of claim 4, wherein the hybrid plant is melon hybrid SV0331MV, a sample of seed of said hybrid SV0331MV having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13535.
 8. The seed of claim 6, defined as a seed of melon hybrid SV0331MV, a sample of seed of said hybrid SV0331MV having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13535.
 9. The seed of claim 2, defined as a seed of line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134.
 10. A plant part of the plant of claim
 1. 11. The plant part of claim 10, further defined as a leaf, an ovule, pollen, a fruit, or a cell.
 12. A melon plant having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of the melon plant of claim
 7. 13. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of the plant of claim
 1. 14. The tissue culture according to claim 13, comprising cells or protoplasts from a plant part selected from the group consisting of embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 15. A melon plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim
 13. 16. A method of vegetatively propagating the plant of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) collecting tissue capable of being propagated from a plant according to claim 1; (b) cultivating said tissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rooting said proliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising growing at least a first plant from said rooted plantlets.
 18. A method of introducing a desired trait into a melon line comprising: (a) crossing a plant of line WSH39-1095AN or WSH39-1134 with a second melon plant that comprises a desired trait to produce F1 progeny, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13537, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-13536, respectively; (b) selecting an F1 progeny that comprises the desired trait; (c) backcrossing the selected F1 progeny with a plant of line WSH39-1095AN or WSH39-1134 to produce backcross progeny; (d) selecting backcross progeny comprising the desired trait and the physiological and morphological characteristic of melon line WSH39-1095AN or WSH39-1134; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progeny that comprise the desired trait.
 19. A melon plant produced by the method of claim
 18. 20. A method of producing a plant comprising an added trait, the method comprising introducing a transgene conferring the trait into a plant of hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134, a sample of seed of said hybrid and lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13535, ATCC Accession Number PTA-13537, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-13536, respectively.
 21. A plant produced by the method of claim
 20. 22. The plant of claim 1, comprising a transgene.
 23. The plant of claim 22, wherein the transgene confers a trait selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified protein metabolism.
 24. The plant of claim 1, comprising a single locus conversion.
 25. The plant of claim 24, wherein the single locus conversion confers a trait selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified protein metabolism.
 26. A method for producing a seed of a plant derived from at least one of hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134 comprising the steps of: (a) crossing a melon plant of hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134 with itself or a second melon plant; a sample of seed of said hybrid and lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13535, ATCC Accession Number PTA-13537, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-13536, respectively; and (b) allowing seed of a hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134-derived melon plant to form.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of: (c) selfing a plant grown from said hybrid SV0331MV, WSH39-1095AN or WSH39-1134-derived melon seed to yield additional hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134-derived melon seed; (d) growing said additional hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134-derived melon seed of step (c) to yield additional hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134-derived melon plants; and (e) repeating the crossing and growing steps of (c) and (d) to generate at least a first further hybrid SV0331MV, line WSH39-1095AN or line WSH39-1134-derived melon plant.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the second melon plant is of an inbred melon line.
 29. The method of claim 26, comprising crossing line WSH39-1095AN with line WSH39-1134, a sample of seed of said lines having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-13537, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-13536, respectively.
 30. The method of claim 27, further comprising: (f) crossing the further hybrid SV0331MV, WSH39-1095AN or WSH39-1134-derived melon plant with a second melon plant to produce seed of a hybrid progeny plant.
 31. A plant part of the plant of claim
 7. 32. The plant part of claim 31, further defined as a leaf, a flower, a fruit, an ovule, pollen, or a cell.
 33. A method of producing a melon seed comprising crossing the plant of claim 1 with itself or a second melon plant and allowing seed to form.
 34. A method of producing a melon fruit comprising: (a) obtaining a plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting a melon from the plant. 